New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-30
THE EGYPTIAN CONTENTION

The failure Of the Egyptian Convention now
generally anticipated will be positive gain
for England. 1t may impair Sir Henry Drum
mond VOLTS prestige, but it will strengthen
the Tory Governments diplomatic position
abroad and tend to reconcile all classes and
factions in Great Britain TO the permanent
occupation of Egypt. When Lord Wolseley's
troops invaded the country. the Government OF
the day disclaimed in the most emphatic terms
ambitious projects and selfish motives. Eng
land went to- Tel-cl-Kebir ostensibly as the
ally of Turkey and the moral agent of Europe.
Mr.. Gladstone solemnly promised that the
troops would retire when their mission was once
accomplished. England was under moral OBJ
legations to fulfil these pledges; and the con-
vention recently negotiated, while it reserved
the exclusive privilege Of returning In another
emergency, provided for the evacuation Of
Egypt If that convention be now rejected
by the Porte at the instance of France or Rus
STA, the British Government will have credit
for a esolute attempt to fulfil its engagements.
The Sultan and rival European States will be
held responsible for the continuance Of Eng
lish rule on the Lower Nile. The Government
will thus be able to justify its course at home
and abroad, and The most serious objections
to permanent occupation will be removed. This
improvement Of tho Governments position
both in England and in Europe will be sub
stantial gain.
The rejection of the convention will pre-
clude the possibility Of an immediate resump-
tion of negotiations, and will be decisive so
far as the future Of Egypt is concerned. Eng
lish occupation will be prolonged indefinitely.
| Increased stability will be impaired to the
present provisional arrangements for the gov
eminent Of the country and the introduction Of
administrative reforms. The Khedive and his
subjects will no longer be left in state Of
uncertainty in regard to the future. They will
know that England is responsible for the perma-
nent administration of the country, and that
reform measures viii not be temporary ex-
pedient. They will cease 10 expect the aban-
donment Of new methods with the retirement
of the garrison and return to an old despotic
system Of government. The English rulers will
likewise accept their responsibilities in a more
serious spirit. They have overturned uhc old
National party and nearly everything else in
Egypt. They will now realize that it is neces-
sary for them to construct a new system and 10
create something like permanent order. They
/
come under their hands. These altered rela-
tons of the governing and governed classes
win be an unmiAed good.
The prospect for Egypt even under British
domination is most disheartcning The native
rural population is impoverished; the soil is
losing its od-time fertility the payment OF
taxes becomes more difficult every year; the
fcllaheen are overwhelmed with debt: and the
country with its disordered finances and intol-
cradle burden of taxation is already on tho
verge of an economic crisis. With the bond
holders and France putting every difficulty in
the way England win have most serious and
responsible work TO do in Egypt The moral
obligation to do that work is one that must
be recognized. While the fulflment Of the
pledges which Mr. Gladstone rashly and i'm
providcntly made was required by every con-
sideraton Of national honor. the duty of Great
ing new order Of things in tho Nile countries